Mick chokes back a sob. “There isn’t anything we can do?”
And as many times as Ichant in my head,Ididn’t manifest this, Ididn’t manifest this, Iwould never hurt my friend like this on purpose.Iknow that Ihad, Iknow that Idid.
There are more apologies on his end and more assurances that we will be well compensated for them breaking our contract, and then it’s done. Right as he hangs up, a text from Mickie’s agent pops up that her books are already flying off shelves faster than ever, and she scoffs angrily.
There is no point in wiping away my tears; they just keep falling along with her furious ones. Her cerulean, blue eyes are the darkest stormy sea, and it breaks my heart that Imade them that way.
“I cannot fucking believe you’d ruin your best friend’s life because you were a pathetic, jealous, insecure little—”
“I’m so sorry, Mick!” Isob, “I wish Icould undo what Idid, Iwish Iwasn’t so stupid! I—”
“No, you don’t. You’ve wanted to be a musician’s wife since you were a child, and just because you didn’t realize it until this summer doesn’t make it any less true. You’d break anyone who stood in your way. Iknow you assaulted Lily for merely suggesting she wanted him, and she should’ve pressed charges. You were so out of control, you threw my life away in her hotel room. How can you fucking refute that? You wanted it so badly, you’d gladly expose yourself and ruin my life in the process!”
“Mickie, Inever meant to.”Can Irefute any of that?Iwant to, Itry, but the words don’t come out, because Ican’t, can I? Ican go ahead and call Lily the villain as much as Iwant, but it doesn’t make her the only one.
“Just because you never meant to hurt me doesn’t mean you didn’t. Now admit it,Matilda.”
The slash she marks across my heart aches in a way that Iknow Ideserve. “I’m the fucking villain!” Iscream, throwing my arms up in the air. “I didn’t mean to sabotage season three, but Idid.”
“Oh, youfucking meant to!”
“Do you think Ipurposefully left the phones in her room? Iwould never do that. Ipromise, Mick.”
“Then what the fuck did you do? Ideserve to know the truth. Did you take the encryption or whatever off the video?”
“No!”
I start to hear the soft, kind voice and gentle tapping at the door, which could only be Kel. “Sweeties? Please let me in. Ican help. Ican do your makeup early, and you will look better than I’ve ever made you look before. Please?”
“Fuck off, Kel!” Mick glares at me. “Give it up, bitch.”
My crumpled heart knows how selfish and heartless Iwas stomping on Mickie's dream like that, so Imight as well give her the truth. “You won’t believe me if Itell you.”
“Oh, the hell Iwon’t. Now Iknow you’re capable of anything.”
I try to explain in ragged sobs, and it’s the most ridiculous thing that Ihave ever said out loud in my life. “I manifested season three getting cancelled under the full harvest moon, thirty minutes from Stonehenge. The energy must've been too strong where Iwas. Iknew it would hurt you, and Ifelt horrible. Ijust, Icouldn’t spend another winter in the North with Ace, and Ididn’t think it would ever actuallywork.”
“And now I’m supposed to believe you have magic powers? You’ve been hanging out with your Godmom too much. I’m so done. Kel, come getyourfriend out of here, now! I’m flying home.” Mickie shoves past me and flings the door open, and Kel practically falls into the room.
“Mickie, don’t leave, please.” Kel tries to put her hand on Mick’s shoulder, but she shrugs it off and starts shoving things into the big red suitcase on her massive white bed.
I wipe my eyes. “Mick, please don’t leave. We love y—”
“Save it. The damage is done, so get out.”
I’m so devastated that Inearly crumple to the floor, and Kel leads me out of the room. Mickie slams the door behind us, and it feels so final, the lump in my throat squeezing my emotions like a vice.
Kel sighs as we walk towards the lift, “Well, I’ve officially seen allfifty shadesof Mick and Maddy today.”
“Kel?” Imanage to squeak out.
“I’m sorry, Ihad to. Mickie will come around, and if people are upset, judging you, angry … you know it’s just because they’re jealous. Why wouldn’t they be? That was the hottest thing I’ve – anyone’s – ever seen.”
“Kel? You watched it?” Istumble into the elevator with her.
“I didn’t mean to. Kennedy and Penelope played it for me and—”
“Theysaw it?”
